Colon Cancer Challenge 2010: On A Roll to Raise Awareness

Lexington Medical Center hosted its first Colon Cancer Challenge, a bike ride to raise awareness and funds for colon cancer, on March 20, 2010 at Dutch Fork High School. Nearly 200 riders participated in a 65 mile ride, 25 mile ride and 5 and 10 mile family rides. All proceeds from the bike ride will pay for colonoscopies for patients who are uninsured or underinsured.

David Wright, a community leader and colon cancer survivor, emceed the event. Barbara Willm, LMC VP of Community Relations, was a key planner.

The bike ride came about as a result of a grant LMC received from the University of South Carolina to create and promote an event to raise awareness about colon cancer. Dr. March Seabrook, gastroenterologist, was one of the people behind the idea of a bike ride.

• Colon cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States.
• Nearly 800 South Carolinians die of colon cancer each year. But it’s also one of the most preventable forms of cancer – and curable – when detected early.
• The best way to screen for colon cancer is a colonoscopy, which is an examination of the large intestine using a lighted tube.
• Colonnoscopy is among the most powerful tools in clinical medicine, because of its excellent potential to identify and permit removal of polyps before they turn into cancer.
• In general, doctors recommend that people undergo a colonoscopy every 10 years beginning at age 50. African-Americans should begin screening at age 45.
• Early detection and intervention can reduce mortality from colon cancer by up to 90%.

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